|
The
weekend of June 5 – 7th was filled
with fun, friendships and
unforgettable learning experiences
for the 185 campers and counselors
who took part in the House Ear
Institute’s 24th annual Sharing is
Caring Family Camp at Camp Hess
Kramer in Malibu, CA.
Children engaged in a variety of
camp activities with other
children of similar age, including
team sports, arts and crafts, a
rhythm workshop, martial arts,
rock-climbing and more. Parents
took part in workshops presented
by a variety of professionals
working in the field of education
and advocacy for children with
hearing loss. The program included
the role of parent modeling in
helping with a child’s self
esteem, navigating the IFSP/IEP
process, and preparing a child for
future independence beyond the
school setting. There also was an
emotionally-charged teen panel
discussion for parents on growing
up with a hearing loss, as well as
a group sharing discussion
moderated by a licensed family
therapist.
|
|
Often,
families dealing with pediatric
hearing loss feel alone in what
they are going through. The camp
helps address these feelings by
serving as a safe and relaxing
setting for kids and parents to
relax and share what they’re going
through with others who have
similar experiences.
“The biggest benefit I receive from
Family Camp every year is the
interaction and networking with
other parents of deaf children,”
said parent Debbie Hurtado.
“Mostly, in day-to-day life, a
parent feels isolated. This gives
me a chance to be in the ‘in crowd’
since we are all struggling with
the many issues of raising a deaf
child.”
The camp was founded by Dr. Howard
House in 1985, recognizing an unmet
need to create a supportive
opportunity for families to share
experiences with others dealing
with the many complexities of
raising a child who has a hearing
loss.
The 2009 camp was generously
sponsored by Southern California
Edison, Delta Zeta Foundation,
Employees Community Fund of Boeing
California, The Woods-Claeyssens
Foundation, Ann Pepper Foundation,
Sketch Foundation and Associates of
the House Ear Institute.
|